Pump intake mechanism



Aug. 28, 1934. M. w. CARROLL 1971,330A

PUMP INTAKE MGHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l 000000 nOOOOOO Aug. 28, 1934. M. w. CARROLL 1,971,330

PUMP INTAKE MECHANISM Filed sept. 8, 1931 5 sheets-sheet 2 /c O n. 4.

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Patented Aug. 2s, 1934 UNITE STATES PATENT oFFlcs The invention relates to an improvement in pump intake mechanism of the type which is used in the rotary method of drilling wells in connection with the intake end of slush pumps.

In the rotary method of drilling wells a circulation of iushing uid is maintained down through the drill stern and up through the bore oi the well. In order to provide an adequate l supply of this slush a pit is constructed which b receives the discharge of the mud from the well,

which mud is laden with cuttings from the drill bit. The mud thus discharged may be settled in the pit and the suction line of the slush pump l extends to this pit. It is usual for the pit to be at a lower elevation than the pump and the suction line thus extends into the pit and a strainer cage is placed on the end of this suction line, usually provided with a valve therein, which is designated as the foot valve.

Various types of foot valves have been ,devised heretoiore but it is desirable to have an intake mechanism with or without a valve, which may be adjustable as to elevation in order to suck from the pit mud of any desired consistency, without raising and lowering the intake suotion line which avoids the disturbance or" air tight joints of suction line to pump, as obviously when the mud settles in the pit the heavier mud goes to the bottom of the pit and the lighter or thin mud toward the surface. In the drilling Operation it is necessary t0 use mud Gf diiierent consistency Oand of different specic gravities in accordance with the type Aof formation which is being drilled, and it is. necessary to change the consistency of the mud .quite frequently. Thepresent practice is to ,add water t0 ,the mud in ,the pit when it isV desired to thin the mud and to add other substances to the mud when it is ydesired to make it heavier. Therpres-.- ent invention embodies `structure which will `enable the driller toV obtain mud of any ,desired consistency from the pit Aand at 4.the same time. to provide a method of thinning only the amount of mud which is to be used.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an intake mechanism which is `oapvable of withdrawing slush from the pit at diielent elevations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an intake mechanism having a clear water inlet thereto.

Another object is to provide an intake `mechanisrn having a trash container in combination therewith.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a foot valve having a shield for the valve to protect it against erosion when the valve is in open position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a buoyant valve member so that a minimum of suction will be required to .open the valve.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device in combination with the filtering screen to remove obstructions from the screen when desired.

A still further object of` the invention is to provide an intake mechanism which will permit adjustment of the screen thereon to diierent elevations.

A stili further object oi' the invention is to provide a mechanism in combination with float valve which will permit the vertical adjustment of both the valve and the trash basket thereon;

Another object is to lprovide a pump intake mechanism that will supply .one or more pumps at the same time, making it possible to operate two slush pumps with their inlet ends connected with one intake mechanism.

It is also an object of the invention to provide in the slush pit a subpit which will enable the sand and other cuttings from the slush to settle to an elevation Vwhich will remove it `from the slush which is being taken in by the suction line, and to receive the intake mechanism extending below the main pit bottom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a Afoot valve Vin combination with the slush pump which will retain a charge of fluid above the Valve so that the pump will be primed at all times and a supply of Vhind will be present when the pump is started.`

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve having a wiper thereon jfor the valve seatA so that ,the seat will be cleansed `of abrasive material when the valve moves to closed position.`

A still further object of the invention is to provide a Valve which will be disposed at .or adjacent the liquid elevation in the slush pit.

Itis also tan object of the invention to provide an `airtight chamber for the valve member `which serves as a cushion or compressi-on chamber for the Valve when it mQVeS G0 Opel? Ptim- The ,invention will be readily lindert/tee@ when the 4following `descrint-f1r1is.,consideredinterlinetion with the accompanying drawings, Whlilll.

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section of a foot valve disposed in the slush pit.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with certain parts shown in section and viewing the valve from the left, as seen in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a broken detail sectional view of a portion of the trash basket and the wiper mechanism for the lter.

Fig. 4 is a broken detail View of a modied form of the valve disclosing the wiper construction for the valve seat.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a somewhat simpler form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a broken top plan view of the connection which may be made with the outlet side of the mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a central vertical section through another modication of the invention which embodies the same principle as disclosed in connection with the previous forms of the invention.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7 and looking at the construction from the right-hand side of Fig. '7.

The slush pit is usually constructed by building up a wall of material or creating an excavation in the earth. The side of the pit is indicated at 1 and in order to provide a subpit for the settling of the abrasive materials from the slush and also to accommodate the lower portion of the intake mechanism an additional excavation indicated at 2 is provided and this will be designated as the subpit. The slush pump is disposed adjacent the derrick and is connected with the foot valve and intake mechanism by means of the suction line 3.

This line is connected by a coupling 4 to the neck 5 of the valve. This neck 5 is carried by the body 6 which has coupled thereto the intake sleeve '7. This sleeve is of considerable length and is provided with inlet openings 8 and has aixed thereto the closure plate 9. This closure plate may be connected with the sleeve '7 in any desired manner, but I have illustrated the cross pins 10 which carry the connecting bolts 11.

These cross pins are anchored at one end in the 'sleeve '7 and at the opposite end in the pipe section 12 so that the nuts 13 may be used to draw the closure plate 9 into engagement with the sleeve '7 and the pipe 12. The space between the pipe 12 and the sleeve 'Z is in the nature of a chamber 15 so that there may be an excess of slush adjacent the lower end of this intake sleeve. The upper end of the pipe 12 is provided with a flange 16 which may support a packing 17. This packing and flange are arranged to engage the lter or strainer pipe 20. This pipe is disposed concentrically about the sleeve '7 and is provided with a plurality of strainer openings 21.

The upper end of the strainer pipe is provided with a flange 22 and packing 23 which engage with the sleeve 7. It is intended that this strainer pipe 20 will move longitudinally on the sleeve 7, and with respect to the pipe 12 so that the strainer openings 21 may be moved to any desired elevation in the slush pit. Movement of this strainer pipe is accomplished by means of the rods 25 which are connected with a cross head 26, which is in turn connected to a cable or line 27, which passes over the pulleys 28 and 29. This line 27 extends to a position adjacent the driller on the derrick so that by movement of this line he may adjust the strainer pipe 20 to a position near the surface of the slush in the pit or to a position near the bottom of the pit, depending upon the type of slush which he desires to have drawn in by the pump and passed into the well. Thus, if thin slush is desired the strainer will be raised so that the suction in the line 3 will draw slush in from the surface of the pit through these openings 21. If medium or heavy slush is desired the pipe 2O will be lowered by slacking off on the line 27 so that the openings 21 will be disposed at a lower elevation in the pit. Obviously, the heavy mud will be nearer the bottom of the pit and the consistency of the mud thus drawn in through the line 3 will be varied considerably.

During the circulation of the slush through the well and in the pit considerable trash accumulates therein and as the slush passes through the openings 21 trash such as sticks, twigs, etc., obstruct these passages. In order to provide for the removal and accumulation of this trash a basket 30 is provided in the form of an annular container which is preferably disposed about the circumference of the pipe 20. This basket is provided with a plurality of openings 31 to permit fluid to pass therethrough but it is intended that it will retain such particles of trash as will not pass through the openings and which accumulate about the strainer and sink by gravity therefrom. The basket 30 is also provided with rings or scrapers 33 which are closely adjacent the circumference of the pipe 20. Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of one form oi this scraper, which is bent inwardly at 34 so that the edge 35 thereof will contact the pipe 2). With this structure the driller may periodically raise or lower the basket 30 so that the edge 35 will pass along the surface of the pipe 20. In event sticks or other obstructions have accumulated adjacent the openings 21, this scraper will remove them or sever them in such a manner that the openings 2l will be freed of the obstructions. The obstruction material will fall by gravity into the basket 30 where it will be retained until it is desirable to remove it. This removal may be accomplished by raising the basket to a point adjacent the surface whereby it may be cleaned manually by one of the operators.

The raising and lowering of the basket 30 is accomplished by means of the rods 35 which are connected with a cross head 36 which is similar in all respects to the cross head 26. This cross head 35 is movable by means of a flexible member 37 which passes over the pulley 38 and has connected therewith a weight or other device 39. If desired an additional line may be connected to this cross head or to the weight 39 so that the trash basket may be manipulated from a remote position. However, it may be moved by depressing the weight 39 to raise the basket, and then the freeing of this weight will allow the basket to swing by gravity to any desired elevation.

The valve member is of special construction and is indicated generally at 40. This valve is so constructed that it contains a recess 41 in the tapered face 42 thereof. This recess 41 is adapted to receive a flexible member 43 which may be of rubber or of soft metal. This packing or sealing portion is conned in the recess 41 and is adapted to abut against the seat 44. The valve is enlarged below the recess at 45 so that it has a sliding ht with the body 6, as at 46. Thus, it in the nature of a guide portion for the valve as it moves to open or closed position, so that the packing or sealing portion will be concentrically seated in position.

The valve 40 is preferably hollow and is closed by means of a plug 47. It has been found that a valve of the construction described is of material advantage in that it is more or less buoyant when disposed in the thick iiushing fluid which has a pui ldd

high specific lg'ravity. The valve is capable o'f movement by a lesser suction ytlflain would be necessary to move a less buoyant member. 'I'he valve,v however, is of such construction that it does not float upon the surface of 'the iluid but Will be moved `by very little Epressure thereon. The valve 40 is provided with a stem 48 which extends upwardly therefrom and 4is adapted to move into the cavity "49 formed on the cap member 50, which is disposed on top Yoi ythe body 6. This cavity 49 is closed so that sudden upward movement of the valve 40wi-ll be restrained due to the air trapped in the cavity. In-this manner hammering of the valve will be avoided as the trapped air will be compelled to pass out around the stem 48 as it moves into the cavity. i

Valves which are disposed in a more or less abrasive l"fluid, such as the slush passing through the present foot valvepare subjected -to considerable wear due to the abrasive in the fluid. In order to avoid this wear on the flexible portions of the valve and protect it as much as possible a stationary shield 51 has been provided which is clamped between the 'head or cap 50 and the `body 6 of the valve housing. This shield is circular `in construction-'and projects downwardly a suicient distance to extend below the elevation of the packing 43 when 'the valve is in raised position. In this manner the valve will be housed when it is in `open position so that the flow of uid through the housing will not encounter the valve and cause erosion thereof."

In order to additionally protect the valve when it is in closed position and also to'protect it while A it is moving-to open position a movable shield 52 has been provided. 'lhis shield is in the nature of an inverted cup and telescopes within the shield 51, and is provided with an opening 53 to'accommodate the stem 48 of the valve. This movable shield 52 is adapted to rest onthe upper edge of the seat 44 when the valve is in closed position. Any sediment or abrasive which settles from the slush trapped in the line 3 and the neck 5 will settle about rthis sleeve 52 instead of being in contact with the valve 40 or packing 43. This shield 52 will fall by gravity to the position shown in Fig. 1 when the valve moves to closed position, but when the `valve raises due to suction the shield 52 Will also be raised, but during the raising operation the packing 43 will be moved upwardly into the shield 52 so that the rush of fluid through the valve housing willnot encounter this flexibleportion of the valve member. An additional feature in connection with the shields 51 and 52 is in the provision of an air chamber 55, due to the fact that the valve 40 fits snugly within the shield 52 and the shield 52 telescopes within the shield 51. Thus, when the valve moves `to open position a considerable amount of air is trapped in this chamber 55 and the valve will move slowly to it maximum open position.

It should be particularly noted that the foot valve is suspended at a constant elevation or rests on bottom of subpit and the suction line 3 may therefore be connected in a substantially horizontal position so that the suction on the pump inlet will remain uniform. It is unnecessary to change connections when slush is to be withdrawn from different elevations in the pit because the screen 20 may be adjusted for this purpose.

Fig. 4 shows a modified form of the valve and valve seat, which is similar` in most respects to the valve and seat shown in Fig. l. However, an additional feature has been included which embodies a wiper 60, which is held in a groove 61 formed in Ithe valveY body 40.1 This groove is roundedat 62 so that the wiper may bend `from its horizontal -posit-ion shown to cause a wiping along the seat 44. A groove 63 has beeny formed in the valve body 6 to accommodate the wiper when the valve is in closed position. When the valve opens, however, the wiper will be pulled along the seat 44 and when the valve is moved toclosed position any particles of sediment or abrasive which have settled on the seat 44 will be removedso that the packing 43 will be disposed `upon a -clean surface and complete sealing `of the valve will be accomplished. l i

One of the essential 'features -of the present valve is the fact that the valve will close and make an airtight connection on `the seat, so that any lluid which is trapped in the line 3 andthe neck 5 will be present when `the pump is started so that it will not be necessary to run the pump to prime itself, as fluid to prime the pump will be present in the line and operation of the pump may be started immediately without endangering the pump and its afhliated parts.

While one band of packing material 43 and one wiper have been illustrated, it is to be understood that more than one packing or wiper may be provided in connection with the device as it is found desirable in the further development of the invention. It is also intended that a plurality of ,necks 5 may be provided and the body 6 would then be in the form of a yoke so that there would be two necks 5 in order to feeda sufficient amount of fluidto the suction line, or lines, 3. Such a structure is illustrated in Fig. 6. The Y 68 is connectedwith the neck o-r elbow on the intake mechanism and the two lines 69 and 70 may dray uid from the same source. Itv

is to be understood of course that a pump may be connected with each of the lines 69 or '70. Valves 71 in the lines allow one line to be closed while the other is operated, and allows one pump to act as a booster pump. Thus the two pumps may `be'connected in tandem and the discharge of the rst pump connected tothe inlet of the second pump. The pumps and connecting lines are standard equipment and have not been illustrated. The closing or opening of the valves 'l1 may b e accomplished to obtain any desired arrangement of the pumps and intake mechanism.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated how the foot valve 40 may be dispensed with if desired. In place of the valve chamber 6 and the valve mechanism therein I may substitute an elbow 6 having an outlet 5e connected by a coupling 4a to the line 3 which, in turn, may if desired connect with a Y such as is shown in Fig. 6. The control mechanism for the strainer and other intake structure may be mounted upon a post 67 on the upper end of the elbow and 'will function as in the previous embodiment. This will greatly simplify the device and, although the foot valve is desirable., it is expensive and may be dispensed with in ordinary installations.

In order to obtain a slush of the desired consistency a water line 65 hasbeen provided which is connected to a suitable source of clear water. This line leads downwardly and is connected to the closure plate 9 so that it will discharge at 66 into the lower end of the intake sleeve 7. Thus, when it is desired to circulate a thin slush it is only necessary to turn the water in -through the pipe 65 so that it may enter the sleeve 7 and thin the slush entering the openings 8.

When the desired amount of thin slush has been circulated it is only necessary to cut 01T the iiow of Water throughthe pipe and a heavy slush may then be circulated. With the intakes now in general use it is necessary to add water to the entire amount of slush in the pit in order to obtain a thin slush. If, directly after using the thin slush, a heavy slush is desired, considerable diiculty is encountered in obtaining such heavy slush because the slush in the pit has all been thinned, whereas with the present structure only the slush to be used is thinned as it is used.

Fig. '7 illustrates another form of the invention wherein the suction line 3, which leads to the pump, is inclined downwardly toward the pump. This inclination is accomplished by providing an elbow which is of less than a ninety degree curve. In this manner the pipe 3 slopes downwardly to the pump and it is intended that the angle of the elbow 80 will be such that the end of the pipe 3 will be at an elevation equal to the elevation of the inlet of the slush pump and that the point 81 where the pipe 3 connects to the elbow will be of substantially the same elevation as the intake or suction valves in the slush pump. In this manner a liquid level at the elevation of the line 82 will be present in `the pipe 3 in order to insure a charge of liquid in the pump when it is to be started. vThis eliminates priming of the pump and insures a uniform flow of liquid to the valves.

The elbow 80 may be constructed with an opening 83 in order to receive the flow pipe 84 which is connected to the water line 85. This line is the same as the line 65 shown in Fig. 1 and has a valve therein adjacent the pump so that the pperator may control a flow of water into the slush being pumped. In this manner the operator may control the density of the slush and thin it down when desired without the necessity of thinning down the entire quantity of slush in the pit.

The vent valve 86 is shown on the line 84 so that it may be opened when the now of water is closed off and into the line 85 and when the pump is to be closed down. In this manner the siphon el'lect in the pipe 3 and the intake mechanism will be broken because this valve 86 may be opened to allow air to enter. The liquid will then settle at an elevation equal to that of the line 82 and a quantity of liquid will then be present in the pipe 3 when the pump is to be again started. It is to be understood that this valve may be operated from a distance if desired.

87 shows an elevating mechanism similar to that described in the preceding figures in order to control the movement of the intake device.

Below the elbow 80 is an intake pipe 90, which is provided with a plurality of openings 91. These openings may be positioned at any elevation but are preferably adjacent the lower end 92 of the pipe. A trash basket 30 is provided on this intake pipe and the basket is similar to the basket previously described except that a wire mesh 93 may be provided in lieu of the `perforations previously described.

The base of the pipe 90 is adapted to rest upon a footing or platform 94, which will, in turn, be positioned upon the bottom 95 of the subpit or slush pit 2. This flooring 94 supports an adjustable sleeve 92, which is attached t0 the base of the pipe 90 by the bolts 108. A plurality of holes 107 are provided to position the device at different elevations from the bottom 95. A collar 106 limits the downward movement of the basket 30. The rods 105 connected to the bolts 110 support the basket 30 on the lower end of the sleeve 96.

In connection with Fig. 1 a strainer sleeve 20 has been illustrated, but in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the intake openings are provided in the pipe 90 and the sleeve 96 is shown as imperforate. This sleeve is adjustable with respect to the pipe 90 and is adapted to shield the openings 91 and control the elevation at which the suction of material will occur. In the Fig. 1 modification it is desirable to draw in the slush at a higher elevation whereas with the Fig. 7 modication the slush may be drawn in at a lower elevation as it must pass around the lower end 97 of the sleeve. By adjustment of this sleeve 96 the density of the slush being drawn in may be readily controlled.

A packing 98 is provided within the sleeve 96, and this packing is held in position by a gland 99. A trap for lubricant is shown at 100 so that movement of the sleeve with respect to the pipe 90 will be insured. In order to prevent a siphon effect inside of the sleeve 96 an opening 101 has been provided in the head of the sleeve and contains a check valve so that any air which is trapped therein may ilow out through this opening 101 so that it will not be sucked into the pipe 90. The remaining portions of the invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8 are substantially the same as those previously described except the head or the pipe 90 which is attached to the elbow 80 by being iitted into a recess in the flange thereof, as at 109. This insures proper alignment of the parts, and protection for the gasket which may be used between the parts. With the construction of Figs. 7 and 8, a greater strainer area is available so that the capacity of the intake device is considerably increased. Another advantage is the fact that floating trash will not clog the strainers as all the suction must be around the end 97 of baie sleeve 96.

Having described my invention what I claim 1. In combination with a slush pit having slush therein of varying specific gravity, a foot valve, an intake mechanism thereon, and strainer means adjustable independently with respect to said valve to the elevation of the specific gravity of the slush desired, and intake mechanism to draw in slush of the desired specic gravity.

2. In combination with a slush pump intake line, a foot valve suspended at a constant elevation, and means on said valve adjustable with respect thereto so that slush of different speciiic gravities may be drawn into said line by adjustment of said means.

MONROE W. CARROLL. 

